As a result of the military action against militants, situation in various areas of Central Kurram further has worsened and a large number of local tribesmen are abandoning their homes and shifting to safer places.
The authorities have now opened another camp for the internally displaced persons (IDP’s) at Togh Saray near to Hangu whereas the international organisations, especially those affiliated wit the United Nations, are extending help to the local administration in provision of services to the IDPs.
According to the officials in Sadda, the second largest town of Kurram Agency, more than 8,500 families have so far migrated from the Central Kurram. Amongst them, over 1,000 families are residing at the Daranai camp near Sadda while more than 2,500 families are living in schools and other official buildings besides with relatives in Lower Kurram.
The officials say majority of the IDPs prefer to get permission for travelling towards Peshawar, Islamabad and rest of the country. But the authorities are discouraging them and have opened another camp at Togh Saray. In complete contrast with Daranai, situation Togh Saray is much better because it is functioning under the command of local administration but also provides access to the national and international donors.
The officials are providing cooked food items whereas the UNHCR-affiliated organisations are responsible for provision of tents, plastic sheets, utensil and other items of daily use.
A high-level UN delegation visited Sadda a couple of days ago where they witnessed the situation and assured the people of providing maximum support to the IDPs. After the visit, a number of donors also extended their activities into the volatile tribal district. The Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is one of them.
According to a communiqué, the MSF after the launching of the military operation has witnessed an increase in the number of consultations in the paediatric ward of the Sadda hospital. This is mostly due to the influx of displaced people from the conflict zone. In the recent years, the intensified conflicts in the FATA region led to population displacements, disruption of supply lines and isolation of local population while it also contributed to the near-collapse of the healthcare system.
“This is the case in Kurram Agency and the situation is especially worrying in times of intensified conflict as we see today.”
To respond to the challenge, the MSF is trying its best to ensure availability of services at the Sadda hospital.
But it warned, “However this increased support remains insufficient. For several years now, the limitation of access to Kurram for our international staff, including medical specialists, is limiting our intervention. The support provided by MSF in Kurram could be extended, replicated to other hospitals and to other FATA agencies if access restrictions to these areas were alleviated.”